Locked and Rated: Testing the Effectiveness of Consumer Lock Boxes and Gun Safes for Distribution

Angelica M. Baker, BA

Safe storage of medications and firearms are a critical injury prevention strategy. Unsecured medications and firearms are linked to unintentional poisonings, overdoses and suicides. While injury prevention programs recommend the use of lock boxes, bags and firearm safes, there is minimal guidance and standards to determine which products are effective. Currently, standardized testing, rating or requirements do not exist to help consumers choose appropriate storage solutions. To ensure that products distributed by an injury prevention program at a Level-1 Pediatric Trauma Center are both safe and effective, a hands-on evaluation was conducted.

This was a hands-on product evaluation of commercially available medication lock boxes, bags, and firearm lock boxes from a large online retailer based on top-selling items, reviews, and recommendations from other injury prevention programs. Products were evaluated for durability, locking mechanisms, tamper resistance and ease of use by a team of injury prevention specialists, injury prevention program manager and trauma program manager.

Several medication lock boxes and firearm safes were tested for child resistance, ease of use, lock integrity and durability. Only one medication lock box and one firearm safe was found to meet all safety requirements. Most medication lock boxes and bags failed child-resistance testing opening with simple household tools. In addition, most firearm safes failed and did not maintain structural integrity. These findings suggest that not all commercially available storage products offer reliable protection and injury prevention programs may unknowingly distributing ineffective devices. Results support the need for independent and standardized testing, especially in homes with children and teens experiencing a mental health emergency.

Not all medication lock boxes, bags and firearm safes on the market effectively protect against access and unauthorized use. The testing revealed significant differences in product quality, accessibility, and integrity. These findings highlight the importance of guiding injury prevention programs and families towards tested and reliable storage options, especially for homes with individuals experiencing suicidal ideation. Injury prevention professionals should be aware of the differences in product and should include these recommendations into home safety counseling. Additional efforts are needed to establish consumer safety standards and promote standardized product testing.

1. Ensure the safety and quality of commonly distributed medication lock boxes and firearm safes.
2. Identify product strengths and weaknesses through hands-on testing.
3. Provide recommendations to inform injury prevention professionals and families about safe storage items.